AIR LIFE Denver lost a former leader, promoter and friend James C. “Jim” McShane on April 8, 2017 after a valiant fight with cancer.

Jim was the founding father and first director of AIR LIFE Denver in 1983 when Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Healthcare launched the program. Jim was a staunch supporter and promoter of AIR LIFE throughout the program’s history. In the early years of AIR LIFE he quickly grew the program in size and service area by building strong relationships in rural areas through community outreach and medical specialty clinics. AIR LIFE was literally Jim’s vehicle for these efforts as the service became the critical link between rural healthcare and tertiary care offered by Presbyterian/St. Luke’s sic. today’s HealthONE. Not to ignore Dr. McShane’s previous leadership at the Colorado Emergency Medical Services Division, he also advocated for EMS training, EMS Medical Direction, trauma system development and the use of air medical transport “When Minutes Counted” a mission he continued as a healthcare Chief Executive. Always conscientious of cost in healthcare Jim commanded a tight ship but sought more than a return on investment. Jim always balanced cost with community investment, and sought like-minded professionals to promote and develop innovative healthcare. He can be credited with building AIR LIFE’s first base in Aurora Colorado, developing an EMS Communications and Referral Center, promoting specialty transport for neonates, adding a dedicated fixed wing air medical service, as well as finding the best and the brightest healthcare providers to support the AIR LIFE mission. Among his many accomplishments and awards, Jim always had a personal pride for all that AIR LIFE Denver has become.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Georgiana "GiGi" Gonzalez McShane, whom he married in San Diego, Calif. He is the proud father of daughter, Kelly McShane Hoke and son, Michael McShane of Littleton,Co.